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Hide and Seek
The sun is out. Your little boy is smiling. The next time you look… he’s gone.
Lana Cross would do anything to protect her perfect family but on a trip to an adventure park, they slip out of her sight. When she finds her husband, he’s out cold on the forest floor. Then the truth sinks in: Cooper, her four-year-old son, is missing.
No one stopped the man carrying the sleeping boy. The park cameras don’t show where he went. Then Lana receives an anonymous message, telling her to visit a local school with a horrifying history...
This is no random attack. Whoever took Cooper is playing a twisted game, and if Lana wants to find him, she must participate.
How could there be a link between the school and her missing son? And can Lana find her little boy before it’s too late?
Lana Cross would do anything to protect her perfect family but on a trip to an adventure park, they slip out of her sight. When she finds her husband, he’s out cold on the forest floor. Then the truth sinks in: Cooper, her four-year-old son, is missing.
No one stopped the man carrying the sleeping boy. The park cameras don’t show where he went. Then Lana receives an anonymous message, telling her to visit a local school with a horrifying history...
This is no random attack. Whoever took Cooper is playing a twisted game, and if Lana wants to find him, she must participate.
How could there be a link between the school and her missing son? And can Lana find her little boy before it’s too late?
347 pages, ebook
First published August 31, 2017
347 people are currently reading
700 people want to read
About the author
Richard Jay Parker
13 books168 followersR J Parker's creative career began as a TV script writer, script editor and producer. It was this background that fed into a series of cinematic, high-concept thrillers that grabs the reader from the very first page and doesn't release them until the last. R J Parker now lives in Salisbury. One More Chapter/HarperCollins have published THE DINNER PARTY, WHILE YOU SLEPT and THE GOOD NEIGHBOUR. Out April 29th 2022 -THE REMOVAL MAN.
As Richard Jay Parker he has written the thriller STOP ME and as Richard Parker - SCARE ME, STALK ME, FOLLOW YOU, HIDE AND SEEK, KEEP HER SAFE, NEVER SAY GOODBYE and THE SONGBIRD GIRLS.
Check out: www.richard-parker.com
Insta: bemykiller
Twitter @Bookwalter
As Richard Jay Parker he has written the thriller STOP ME and as Richard Parker - SCARE ME, STALK ME, FOLLOW YOU, HIDE AND SEEK, KEEP HER SAFE, NEVER SAY GOODBYE and THE SONGBIRD GIRLS.
Check out: www.richard-parker.com
Insta: bemykiller
Twitter @Bookwalter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
August 11, 2017
See all my twistalicious reviews at www.booksbejeweled.com
I love the way this book starts! Page one and BOOM! You are right in the middle of a mom fighting a backyard intruder who has scooped up her 4-year old son and is making his way over the fence and….I don’t want to give anymore away, but it’s a race until the end of the book. AND this is one tough mama bear.
Richard Parker is the solid writer of this thriller (and my favorite tiger name from LIFE OF PI). He knows how to keep up the suspense and the pages turning fast. The bulk of the plot takes place in the span of two days as Lana and Todd fight to get their son back.
The two parents have different ideas about who took their son and why. This is where the story divides up and they each go their own way to rescue the kid.
Lana is into a website/app called “Right Where You’re Standing” a type of Murder Wikipedia of kill-sites. Is there an app like this? I’m asking for a friend.
She is convinced the app has something to do with her son’s abduction and a notorious serial child rapist, dubbed Mr. Whisper, is her main suspect. Todd, her husband, thinks his wife is wrong. Todd has a secret and he believes this secret is the reason for the kidnapping.
For me, the plot would work better without the secondary story of Todd and his secret. I would have enjoyed a more in-depth character analyses of Todd and Lana. But, that’s just me. The story is really an active, plot driven novel. I feel the ending is too much, too implausible and over the top.
There are some really cool settings: a psychiatric prison hospital, an abandoned water park, an old school. The images are memorable and creepy. HIDE AND SEEK is a quick read and a perfect light mystery for a poolside read.
I love the way this book starts! Page one and BOOM! You are right in the middle of a mom fighting a backyard intruder who has scooped up her 4-year old son and is making his way over the fence and….I don’t want to give anymore away, but it’s a race until the end of the book. AND this is one tough mama bear.
Richard Parker is the solid writer of this thriller (and my favorite tiger name from LIFE OF PI). He knows how to keep up the suspense and the pages turning fast. The bulk of the plot takes place in the span of two days as Lana and Todd fight to get their son back.
The two parents have different ideas about who took their son and why. This is where the story divides up and they each go their own way to rescue the kid.
Lana is into a website/app called “Right Where You’re Standing” a type of Murder Wikipedia of kill-sites. Is there an app like this? I’m asking for a friend.
She is convinced the app has something to do with her son’s abduction and a notorious serial child rapist, dubbed Mr. Whisper, is her main suspect. Todd, her husband, thinks his wife is wrong. Todd has a secret and he believes this secret is the reason for the kidnapping.
For me, the plot would work better without the secondary story of Todd and his secret. I would have enjoyed a more in-depth character analyses of Todd and Lana. But, that’s just me. The story is really an active, plot driven novel. I feel the ending is too much, too implausible and over the top.
There are some really cool settings: a psychiatric prison hospital, an abandoned water park, an old school. The images are memorable and creepy. HIDE AND SEEK is a quick read and a perfect light mystery for a poolside read.
August 27, 2017
The sun is out. Your little boy is smiling. The next time you look… he’s gone.
Hide and Seek grabbed me right from the start - intense, dark, and creepy! Richard Parker knows how to capture the reader's attention with a jaw dropping first chapter. This is every parent's worst nightmare - attempted abduction of your child right in front of your eyes. But the story doesn't end there - it's only the beginning!
Hide and Seek was a fast-paced and well-written thriller that I couldn't put down. This was my first Richard Parker novel and it definitely won't be my last! This story will absolutely keep your heart pounding. It's time to buckle up for a wild, suspenseful, and nail biting roller coaster ride that really packs a punch! Highly Recommend!
*I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Hide and Seek grabbed me right from the start - intense, dark, and creepy! Richard Parker knows how to capture the reader's attention with a jaw dropping first chapter. This is every parent's worst nightmare - attempted abduction of your child right in front of your eyes. But the story doesn't end there - it's only the beginning!
Hide and Seek was a fast-paced and well-written thriller that I couldn't put down. This was my first Richard Parker novel and it definitely won't be my last! This story will absolutely keep your heart pounding. It's time to buckle up for a wild, suspenseful, and nail biting roller coaster ride that really packs a punch! Highly Recommend!
*I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 13, 2017
4.5 Stars
A parent's worst nightmare ... Lana looks outside where her 4-year-old son, Cooper, is playing. Only what she sees is a masked man grabbing her son and throwing him in a bag of some sort. No time to call for help ... no time to call the police. She goes running out and chasing him for she's worth. He hits her, throws her to the ground and kicks her. She gets up not letting the pain stop her. She grabs him, she bites him, she grabs the bag containing her son. Then they hear the sirens coming closer. Thank goodness! Someone has called 911. The man throws the sack at her and takes off running.
His only spoken word he whispers to her ..... Tomorrow.
It has been several months and this episode has not lessened. Lana spends all her time checking and double checking that all doors and windows are locked. She also is on a quest to research and find the man who attempted to take her son. Her husband, Todd, is suffering from guilt, as he was working at the time and unable to protect his family. He also has nightmares that just won't quit. Cooper is fearful of a mask of one of his favorite characters, the one the would-be-kidnapper wore.
The family decides they need to get away ...away from the memories. *When Lana and Todd win a trip to Blue Crest Adventure Park, their four-year-old Cooper is ecstatic, but when Lana goes to meet them at the last carnival ride they were on, Todd is out cold, and Cooper is missing.*
*No one stopped the man carrying the sleeping boy. The cameras don’t show where he went. Then Lana receives an anonymous message, telling her to visit a local school with a horrifying history... *
*This is no random attack. Whoever took Cooper is playing a twisted game, and if Lana wants to find him, she must participate. *
What's the link between the school and her son? Who wants to do them harm?
This is a terrifically delicious thriller... sort of like riding the world's highest roller coaster ride. Up and up and up ... and then the fast decline to the bottom before starting again. All the while your heart is in your throat, the fear is palpable.
I have read several of this author's books. If you like movies that scare you, books that leave you gasping, you really must read HIDE AND SEEK, as well as his other available works.
It's very well written with a story line that you will not be able to turn away from. The mother's fears and foreboding come off the written page to confront you. Can you bear to keep reading? Can you even put the book down for any reason? Can you turn off the lights after checking on your children?
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for this advanced digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
A parent's worst nightmare ... Lana looks outside where her 4-year-old son, Cooper, is playing. Only what she sees is a masked man grabbing her son and throwing him in a bag of some sort. No time to call for help ... no time to call the police. She goes running out and chasing him for she's worth. He hits her, throws her to the ground and kicks her. She gets up not letting the pain stop her. She grabs him, she bites him, she grabs the bag containing her son. Then they hear the sirens coming closer. Thank goodness! Someone has called 911. The man throws the sack at her and takes off running.
His only spoken word he whispers to her ..... Tomorrow.
It has been several months and this episode has not lessened. Lana spends all her time checking and double checking that all doors and windows are locked. She also is on a quest to research and find the man who attempted to take her son. Her husband, Todd, is suffering from guilt, as he was working at the time and unable to protect his family. He also has nightmares that just won't quit. Cooper is fearful of a mask of one of his favorite characters, the one the would-be-kidnapper wore.
The family decides they need to get away ...away from the memories. *When Lana and Todd win a trip to Blue Crest Adventure Park, their four-year-old Cooper is ecstatic, but when Lana goes to meet them at the last carnival ride they were on, Todd is out cold, and Cooper is missing.*
*No one stopped the man carrying the sleeping boy. The cameras don’t show where he went. Then Lana receives an anonymous message, telling her to visit a local school with a horrifying history... *
*This is no random attack. Whoever took Cooper is playing a twisted game, and if Lana wants to find him, she must participate. *
What's the link between the school and her son? Who wants to do them harm?
This is a terrifically delicious thriller... sort of like riding the world's highest roller coaster ride. Up and up and up ... and then the fast decline to the bottom before starting again. All the while your heart is in your throat, the fear is palpable.
I have read several of this author's books. If you like movies that scare you, books that leave you gasping, you really must read HIDE AND SEEK, as well as his other available works.
It's very well written with a story line that you will not be able to turn away from. The mother's fears and foreboding come off the written page to confront you. Can you bear to keep reading? Can you even put the book down for any reason? Can you turn off the lights after checking on your children?
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for this advanced digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
April 29, 2018
Hide And Seek by Richard Jay Parker was a fast paced thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat it started out at an explosive start that kept me captivated right through to the end. I love the characterisation & the grittiness of the storyline it certainly took me on a rollercoaster ride , you think you know then BAMM something else pops into your face I enjoyed this novel but found Lana & Todd telling two POV a bit daunting.
Lana is devastated when her son Cooper is nearly kidnapped by a man known as Mr Whisper she downloads an app that looks into predators & is convinced this is the man . Her husband Todd has a secret & he thinks that what he knows could be the reason.
detective Huxtable comes into solve the case but Lana & Todd have ideas of their own on how to catch the protagonist? which leads both on a journey that will take them to the depth of a killers mind its a bit like catch me if you can!!
I loved the ending it was a cracker jack page turner that I truly enjoyed this is my first read of Richard Jay Parker & definitely will read more. 4 solid stats.
Lana is devastated when her son Cooper is nearly kidnapped by a man known as Mr Whisper she downloads an app that looks into predators & is convinced this is the man . Her husband Todd has a secret & he thinks that what he knows could be the reason.
detective Huxtable comes into solve the case but Lana & Todd have ideas of their own on how to catch the protagonist? which leads both on a journey that will take them to the depth of a killers mind its a bit like catch me if you can!!
I loved the ending it was a cracker jack page turner that I truly enjoyed this is my first read of Richard Jay Parker & definitely will read more. 4 solid stats.
October 7, 2018
HIDE AND SEEK is a fast-paced and well-written thriller by Richard Jay Parker, that is sure to please. It grabbed my attention from the get go. A parent’s worst nightmare…the tried abduction of your child right before your eyes!
Lana Cross would do anything to protect her perfect family but on a trip to an adventure park, they slip out of her sight. When she finds her husband, he’s out cold on the forest floor. Then the truth sinks in: Cooper, her four-year-old son, is missing.
The cameras don’t show the man carrying the sleeping boy and where he went. Then Lana receives an anonymous message, telling her to visit a local school.
The attacker is playing a twisted game, and one in which Lana must participate for the sake of her child.
Time is ticking and Lana must play the game well…in order to find her little boy before it is too late.
I have read other novels by Richard Parker and knew I was in for a treat. I was not disappointed, and the journey allowed the reader to get inside the mind of this evil abductor.
Many thanks to the Bookouture via Netgalley for my digital copy.
Lana Cross would do anything to protect her perfect family but on a trip to an adventure park, they slip out of her sight. When she finds her husband, he’s out cold on the forest floor. Then the truth sinks in: Cooper, her four-year-old son, is missing.
The cameras don’t show the man carrying the sleeping boy and where he went. Then Lana receives an anonymous message, telling her to visit a local school.
The attacker is playing a twisted game, and one in which Lana must participate for the sake of her child.
Time is ticking and Lana must play the game well…in order to find her little boy before it is too late.
I have read other novels by Richard Parker and knew I was in for a treat. I was not disappointed, and the journey allowed the reader to get inside the mind of this evil abductor.
Many thanks to the Bookouture via Netgalley for my digital copy.
August 31, 2017
Do you know what I like when it comes to thrillers? Stories that keep surprising and thrilling! And, Hide and Seek has both a surprising and thrilling storyline. Also, the blurb doesn't give away too much of the story. Frankly, I was a bit surprised at first when I started the book, it was action from page one and I had thought it would start with the trip to Blue Crest Adventure Park, but no, it started off with an event that surprised me. Yeah, I was surprised from page one. Now, since this is a thriller will I not reveal too much of the storyline. You have to read it for yourself to find out what happened before the trip and what takes place after Lana and Todd's young son Cooper is taken.
Not long ago did I read Be My Killer by Richard Parker and that was more horrifying than this one, basically Be My Killer flirted with the horror genre with some really gruesome killings. This one felt more like a thriller. Nothing bad with that, I liked this book, and if you prefer less gruesome deaths will this one probably suit you better than Be My Killer. What they have in common is an interesting plot, great writing, and characters you're interested to read about. I tell you, this book is a pretty awesome thriller and I was curious all the way through. I mean who could you trust? Really trust? And, who is behind the kidnapping of Cooper, and why? I found myself really liking Lana who is going through a mother's worst nightmare, with a missing child and then having to play a twisted game with the kidnapper.
Hide and Seek is an excellent thriller and now I can't wait to find out what Richard Parker will write next. Hopefully, there will be a new book out soon...
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
Not long ago did I read Be My Killer by Richard Parker and that was more horrifying than this one, basically Be My Killer flirted with the horror genre with some really gruesome killings. This one felt more like a thriller. Nothing bad with that, I liked this book, and if you prefer less gruesome deaths will this one probably suit you better than Be My Killer. What they have in common is an interesting plot, great writing, and characters you're interested to read about. I tell you, this book is a pretty awesome thriller and I was curious all the way through. I mean who could you trust? Really trust? And, who is behind the kidnapping of Cooper, and why? I found myself really liking Lana who is going through a mother's worst nightmare, with a missing child and then having to play a twisted game with the kidnapper.
Hide and Seek is an excellent thriller and now I can't wait to find out what Richard Parker will write next. Hopefully, there will be a new book out soon...
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
September 24, 2017
This is one author who makes sure he grabs you kicking and screaming in to the story with every parents worst nightmare.
We first meet Lana when she is fighting with everything she has to stop someone abducting her son. Well right away my heart was in my mouth. Apart from my children dying, abduction has got to be my next worst fear. Every emotion that Lana was feeling, I felt every bit of it.
You don’t have to be a parent to have compassion for Lana. I loved how strong she was. I think most of us would go to pieces but she is hell bent on finding out who has taken their son. I was right there with her urging her on and sending her strength to continue.
The story is so fast paced. With short chapters, I literally raced through the book and it certainly gets the adrenaline pumping. With plenty of twists and turns, Hide And Seek makes for an exhilarating read. Definitely one for die hard fans of psychological thrillers that will have you not wanting your kids to leave your sight for even a minute!
We first meet Lana when she is fighting with everything she has to stop someone abducting her son. Well right away my heart was in my mouth. Apart from my children dying, abduction has got to be my next worst fear. Every emotion that Lana was feeling, I felt every bit of it.
You don’t have to be a parent to have compassion for Lana. I loved how strong she was. I think most of us would go to pieces but she is hell bent on finding out who has taken their son. I was right there with her urging her on and sending her strength to continue.
The story is so fast paced. With short chapters, I literally raced through the book and it certainly gets the adrenaline pumping. With plenty of twists and turns, Hide And Seek makes for an exhilarating read. Definitely one for die hard fans of psychological thrillers that will have you not wanting your kids to leave your sight for even a minute!
May 14, 2018
This was a fast paced edgy dark thriller that kept me on my toes from start to finish. This is now in my long list of Top 17 Reads of 2017.
Richard Parker excels at taking the reader on one heck of a story journey. You need a lie down after reading his books.
I had read Scare Me (and promoted it with his previous publisher) so I knew I was in for a great read with this new one. I really like Richard's willingness to stretch my imagination. He's a great writer.
In this book a young boy is almost taken by a sinister stranger one day from his back garden. It's a plan that fails thanks to one gutsy mother who does everything to save her child. But that's really nowhere near the end of that story...in fact it's just the beginning and sometimes the past comes back to haunt you.
I'm not going to talk too much more about the plot except to say it's fast-paced from page one to the very end, is brilliantly written and has plenty of twisty turns you will just love! I enjoyed the storyline a lot.
There are characters to love and loathe in Hide and Seek. The bad guys I loved to despise and was willing their demise all the way through. I cheered on Connor's gutsy mother, the lioness that protects and fights for her cub no matter what. She is a formidable woman, I'd want her on my team.
A deranged, evil serial abductor and killer of children is at large and the overall story around him is fantastic. The ending of this book features high-octane thrills and heart-stopping moments. The very end was just brilliant, it couldn't have been wrapped up better. I was a satisfied reader.
If you want a book to turn the pages with that let's you escape totally into the plot look no further than Hide and Seek! 5 huge happy Reviewer stars from me.
I read an ARC of this book thanks to Bookouture via NetGalley. All review opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
For more of my reviews, author features, book competitions and hugely popular book launch events where you can win oodles of books you can connect with me on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/BookloverCatlady
and on Twitter:
www.twitter.com/promotethatbook
To enquire about joining my VIP book reviewers team: http://goo.gl/forms/GWMOvlofZg
To enquire about my varied and affordable book publicity services: http://goo.gl/forms/eVwa2HFKnK
Richard Parker excels at taking the reader on one heck of a story journey. You need a lie down after reading his books.
I had read Scare Me (and promoted it with his previous publisher) so I knew I was in for a great read with this new one. I really like Richard's willingness to stretch my imagination. He's a great writer.
In this book a young boy is almost taken by a sinister stranger one day from his back garden. It's a plan that fails thanks to one gutsy mother who does everything to save her child. But that's really nowhere near the end of that story...in fact it's just the beginning and sometimes the past comes back to haunt you.
I'm not going to talk too much more about the plot except to say it's fast-paced from page one to the very end, is brilliantly written and has plenty of twisty turns you will just love! I enjoyed the storyline a lot.
There are characters to love and loathe in Hide and Seek. The bad guys I loved to despise and was willing their demise all the way through. I cheered on Connor's gutsy mother, the lioness that protects and fights for her cub no matter what. She is a formidable woman, I'd want her on my team.
A deranged, evil serial abductor and killer of children is at large and the overall story around him is fantastic. The ending of this book features high-octane thrills and heart-stopping moments. The very end was just brilliant, it couldn't have been wrapped up better. I was a satisfied reader.
If you want a book to turn the pages with that let's you escape totally into the plot look no further than Hide and Seek! 5 huge happy Reviewer stars from me.
I read an ARC of this book thanks to Bookouture via NetGalley. All review opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
For more of my reviews, author features, book competitions and hugely popular book launch events where you can win oodles of books you can connect with me on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/BookloverCatlady
and on Twitter:
www.twitter.com/promotethatbook
To enquire about joining my VIP book reviewers team: http://goo.gl/forms/GWMOvlofZg
To enquire about my varied and affordable book publicity services: http://goo.gl/forms/eVwa2HFKnK
December 11, 2017
After Lana prevents the kidnapping of her four year old boy she lives in the constant fear as the kidnapper leaves Lana with a chilling message “ tomorrow “ When they receive holiday tickets to an adventure park , Todd her husband thinks it will be a good change for them as a family . But Todd is attacked and Cooper is kidnapped making Lana’s worst nightmare come true. The police are involved but both parents refuse to take their help and try to rescue Cooper by following their own leads . With Lana following an app in which she believes the kidnapper is leaving her a trail; her husband follows a different route as he believes his secret is the one that led to his son’s kidnapping. It is a race against time to reach and rescue Cooper from the hands of a madman
The book is my first by Richard Parker and is a good action packed fast paced thriller. I would rate it 3 1/2 stars as even though there was nonstop action the two different plots did not work for me and some of the things seemed implausible. Overall though a fast read with some heart pounding moments
I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
The book is my first by Richard Parker and is a good action packed fast paced thriller. I would rate it 3 1/2 stars as even though there was nonstop action the two different plots did not work for me and some of the things seemed implausible. Overall though a fast read with some heart pounding moments
I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
August 31, 2017
Such a big fan of Richard Parker. I loved this book. It keeps you guessing all the way never knowing what might happen next. When Cooper goes missing on a family holiday his parents will stop at nothing to find him. A very big thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book to read and review
August 30, 2017
Omg,This book is absolutely AMAZING,fast paced,danger packed,gripping thrill ride from beginning to end
If I could I would seriously give this book far more than five stars
When Lana and Todd win a trip to Blue Crest Adventure Park,their four year old son Cooper is ecstatic but while Lana is distracted by her phone,Todd is attacked and Cooper is abducted.
No one stopped the man carrying the sleeping boy,they both just vanished without a trace.Then Lana receives an anonymous message,telling her to visit a local school with a horrifying history.
What is the link between the school and her missing son? Can Lana uncover who is forcing her to play their twisted game and save Cooper before it's too late?
After the Gripping prologue the reader is given the chance to catch their breath while you follow the family's journey to Blue Crest Adventure Park and believe me you need that short reprieve because once Cooper is abducted,the action is non stop.This fast paced thriller has short,snappy chapters that alternate between Lana and Todd.You follow Lana as she follows the instructions of whoever has kidnapped Cooper.Meanwhile as well as trying to help Lana find their son,Todd has his own problems to deal with.He is being pursued by some rather nasty men,are they the same people who are behind Copper`s disappearance?.Throughout the story both characters find themselves in a number of nail biting,life threatening situations that had me frantically turning the pages,eager to find out what was going to happen next.
Likeable hero and heroine,evil twisted villains,loads of twists,breath taking,nail biting danger,sinister spooky settings manipulation,deception and loads and loads of action.This gripping roller coaster ride grips you from the very first page and squeezes you tighter and tighter until you get to the end and are finally able to breath again.
Many thanks to Bookouture for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
If I could I would seriously give this book far more than five stars
When Lana and Todd win a trip to Blue Crest Adventure Park,their four year old son Cooper is ecstatic but while Lana is distracted by her phone,Todd is attacked and Cooper is abducted.
No one stopped the man carrying the sleeping boy,they both just vanished without a trace.Then Lana receives an anonymous message,telling her to visit a local school with a horrifying history.
What is the link between the school and her missing son? Can Lana uncover who is forcing her to play their twisted game and save Cooper before it's too late?
After the Gripping prologue the reader is given the chance to catch their breath while you follow the family's journey to Blue Crest Adventure Park and believe me you need that short reprieve because once Cooper is abducted,the action is non stop.This fast paced thriller has short,snappy chapters that alternate between Lana and Todd.You follow Lana as she follows the instructions of whoever has kidnapped Cooper.Meanwhile as well as trying to help Lana find their son,Todd has his own problems to deal with.He is being pursued by some rather nasty men,are they the same people who are behind Copper`s disappearance?.Throughout the story both characters find themselves in a number of nail biting,life threatening situations that had me frantically turning the pages,eager to find out what was going to happen next.
Likeable hero and heroine,evil twisted villains,loads of twists,breath taking,nail biting danger,sinister spooky settings manipulation,deception and loads and loads of action.This gripping roller coaster ride grips you from the very first page and squeezes you tighter and tighter until you get to the end and are finally able to breath again.
Many thanks to Bookouture for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
September 21, 2017
'I Survived the Ride'
And what a ride it was! Phew! This was my first book by Richard Jay Parker, and it absolutely blew me away! I was captivated and completely beside myself with worry about what was going to happen to Lana, Cooper, and Todd. This is a page turner for sure! Richard Jay Parker has a talent for suspense!
You are gripped from the start when Lana Cross is caught in what every parent fears, someone is trying to kidnap her child. She's caught in a desperate struggle to save her child, using every bit of strength and will within her to keep Cooper within her grip and keep this man from taking him from her. She's clawing, kicking, and with no other choice, even biting the man. The man finally relents, but as he does, he makes a promise... "Tomorrow".
Months have passed and there has been no sign of 'Mr. Whisper', as Cooper has called him. The family has won a vacation to Blue Crest, an amusement park in Sequonda and decides to get away. They could all do with a break and enjoy two weeks of fun in the sun. Only this doesn't turn out to be the roller coaster ride that Lana and Todd thought they would be riding. Todd is shoved from a rope bridge of one of the rides and Cooper is taken! Lana is distracted and on her cell phone and doesn't see the abduction. Lana and Todd spend the rest of their vacation on a mad and crazy search for their son Cooper.
This story unfolds in ways I never thought imaginable. I kept saying "What the hell is going on?" I at no point ever had a clue where this story was going. Usually you have some sense of who the kidnapper is, or what's going to happen next, and so on. Nope... not with this one, and that's what makes it so enjoyable. The ending... BAM! Lana 1, Mr. Whisper, 0!
I want to thank NetGalley, Bookouture, and Richard Jay Parker for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my review! I loved it!
And what a ride it was! Phew! This was my first book by Richard Jay Parker, and it absolutely blew me away! I was captivated and completely beside myself with worry about what was going to happen to Lana, Cooper, and Todd. This is a page turner for sure! Richard Jay Parker has a talent for suspense!
You are gripped from the start when Lana Cross is caught in what every parent fears, someone is trying to kidnap her child. She's caught in a desperate struggle to save her child, using every bit of strength and will within her to keep Cooper within her grip and keep this man from taking him from her. She's clawing, kicking, and with no other choice, even biting the man. The man finally relents, but as he does, he makes a promise... "Tomorrow".
Months have passed and there has been no sign of 'Mr. Whisper', as Cooper has called him. The family has won a vacation to Blue Crest, an amusement park in Sequonda and decides to get away. They could all do with a break and enjoy two weeks of fun in the sun. Only this doesn't turn out to be the roller coaster ride that Lana and Todd thought they would be riding. Todd is shoved from a rope bridge of one of the rides and Cooper is taken! Lana is distracted and on her cell phone and doesn't see the abduction. Lana and Todd spend the rest of their vacation on a mad and crazy search for their son Cooper.
This story unfolds in ways I never thought imaginable. I kept saying "What the hell is going on?" I at no point ever had a clue where this story was going. Usually you have some sense of who the kidnapper is, or what's going to happen next, and so on. Nope... not with this one, and that's what makes it so enjoyable. The ending... BAM! Lana 1, Mr. Whisper, 0!
I want to thank NetGalley, Bookouture, and Richard Jay Parker for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my review! I loved it!
August 7, 2017
This book would, I truly believe, make an excellent motion picture - one that would keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time. As a book? Sorry, but it just didn't do it for me.
It's not the plot, which is solid even though it's not terribly original. A child is kidnapped, his parents (one of whom has a deep dark secret) are distraught, police are not doing what parents think they should, parents set out on their own to find their child against all sensible advice and chaos ensues. Rather, my difficulties come from the writing; transition that is sadly lacking (or worse, nonexistent) and way too many unclear antecedents and misplaced modifiers. Consider, for instance, this gem:
"...woman chatting to a doctor in a pink smock."
Well, as it turns out, the doctor was a guy; so no, I rather think he wasn't the one wearing pink.
The story begins as Lana Cross thwarts the would-be kidnapper of her 4-year-old son Cooper. Before he gets away, the mystery man - dubbed "Mr. Whisper" - has the last word: "Tomorrow."
Scared out of their wits, Lana and her husband Todd pick up Cooper and leave the home they love for a small apartment in the city. For months, the kidnapper's tomorrow never comes; but convinced that someday it will, Lana determines that she, and only she, must find Mr. Whisper before he makes good on his promise to return (why, exactly, she thinks that way remains a mystery to me). She taps into a crime-scene-finder iPhone app and does some mostly futile digging around, but that all but stops when she and Todd learn they've won a free two-week vacation to an adventure park.
That's great, they say - we need to get away (my reaction would have been more like, "Are you kidding me? What kind of scam is this?" but then it's different strokes for different folks). And surprise, surprise - once they get to the park, the worst happens: Todd, who leaves Lana to take their son on a ride, is knocked unconscious and Cooper vanishes.
Getting a call to meet up from who she assumes is the kidnapper, Lana rushes off without telling anyone, even passing on heading to the hospital to visit her seriously injured husband. But wait, there's more: Apparently, Todd isn't as bad off as the doctors think; he, too, disappears from right under their noses. From that point on, the action really begins to heat up as Lana goes her way and Todd goes his - mostly for totally different reasons (remember that deep, dark secret)?
From that point on, it's impossible to explain what happens without giving away too much. I will emphasize, though, that the last half of the book was noticeably better and for the most part held my attention quite well. For that, I'm happy; when I'm given the opportunity to read an advance copy of a in exchange for an honest review (as with this one), I make it a rule to not give up till I at least pass that point. In this instance, that worked out for the best even though overall this book really isn't my cup of tea.
It's not the plot, which is solid even though it's not terribly original. A child is kidnapped, his parents (one of whom has a deep dark secret) are distraught, police are not doing what parents think they should, parents set out on their own to find their child against all sensible advice and chaos ensues. Rather, my difficulties come from the writing; transition that is sadly lacking (or worse, nonexistent) and way too many unclear antecedents and misplaced modifiers. Consider, for instance, this gem:
"...woman chatting to a doctor in a pink smock."
Well, as it turns out, the doctor was a guy; so no, I rather think he wasn't the one wearing pink.
The story begins as Lana Cross thwarts the would-be kidnapper of her 4-year-old son Cooper. Before he gets away, the mystery man - dubbed "Mr. Whisper" - has the last word: "Tomorrow."
Scared out of their wits, Lana and her husband Todd pick up Cooper and leave the home they love for a small apartment in the city. For months, the kidnapper's tomorrow never comes; but convinced that someday it will, Lana determines that she, and only she, must find Mr. Whisper before he makes good on his promise to return (why, exactly, she thinks that way remains a mystery to me). She taps into a crime-scene-finder iPhone app and does some mostly futile digging around, but that all but stops when she and Todd learn they've won a free two-week vacation to an adventure park.
That's great, they say - we need to get away (my reaction would have been more like, "Are you kidding me? What kind of scam is this?" but then it's different strokes for different folks). And surprise, surprise - once they get to the park, the worst happens: Todd, who leaves Lana to take their son on a ride, is knocked unconscious and Cooper vanishes.
Getting a call to meet up from who she assumes is the kidnapper, Lana rushes off without telling anyone, even passing on heading to the hospital to visit her seriously injured husband. But wait, there's more: Apparently, Todd isn't as bad off as the doctors think; he, too, disappears from right under their noses. From that point on, the action really begins to heat up as Lana goes her way and Todd goes his - mostly for totally different reasons (remember that deep, dark secret)?
From that point on, it's impossible to explain what happens without giving away too much. I will emphasize, though, that the last half of the book was noticeably better and for the most part held my attention quite well. For that, I'm happy; when I'm given the opportunity to read an advance copy of a in exchange for an honest review (as with this one), I make it a rule to not give up till I at least pass that point. In this instance, that worked out for the best even though overall this book really isn't my cup of tea.
September 2, 2017
Author Richard Parker made quite an impression with his previous offering Follow You. This one is a bit different and I was pleasantly surprised as it shows the author is able to diversify and still produce a most excellent thriller. Think less gore and icky stuff, more deliciously creepy. With a character called Mr. Whispers, how could it possibly be anything else?
Nine months ago, someone tried to kidnap four year old Cooper from his garden. His mother, Lana, foiled the attempt but has been suffering from anxiety since that day. She’s also rather obsessed with finding out who tried to take her son. So much so that she’s often glued to an app on her phone that points out murder sites in her neighbourhood. Seriously? I shudder at the thought. So anyway, when the family wins a trip to an adventure park, it is the break they desperately need. But things soon take a turn for the worse.
The relatively short chapters make for a quick and fast-paced read. The points of view switch effortlessly between Lana and Todd as they both set out to find their son. Hide and Seek is a brilliantly tense ride full of intrigue and I’m pretty sure my forehead now has added wrinkles from frowning so hard as I tried to figure out what was going on!
This is a pretty intricate and complex plot and with twists, turns, a red herring or two and a satisfying conclusion, it all results in a truly enjoyable and gripping thriller. Bring on the next one, Mr. Parker!
Nine months ago, someone tried to kidnap four year old Cooper from his garden. His mother, Lana, foiled the attempt but has been suffering from anxiety since that day. She’s also rather obsessed with finding out who tried to take her son. So much so that she’s often glued to an app on her phone that points out murder sites in her neighbourhood. Seriously? I shudder at the thought. So anyway, when the family wins a trip to an adventure park, it is the break they desperately need. But things soon take a turn for the worse.
The relatively short chapters make for a quick and fast-paced read. The points of view switch effortlessly between Lana and Todd as they both set out to find their son. Hide and Seek is a brilliantly tense ride full of intrigue and I’m pretty sure my forehead now has added wrinkles from frowning so hard as I tried to figure out what was going on!
This is a pretty intricate and complex plot and with twists, turns, a red herring or two and a satisfying conclusion, it all results in a truly enjoyable and gripping thriller. Bring on the next one, Mr. Parker!
August 22, 2017
A young child, Cooper is almost abducted, it is only his mother's determination that stops this from happening. Straight away you are aware that this is going to be an action packed story. For mother Lana this is just the beginning of her nightmare. For months after this she lives with the fear that someone is still after her son as the kidnapper's last word to her was 'tomorrow'. Lana is consumed by what happened and begins to search for this man through an app called ''Right where you are standing" which traces sites where killings have occurred. Lana believes this is not the first time this man has tried something like this. Lana's husband Todd has his own secrets and thinks that the abduction is because of something he has done.
Lana and Todd then win a competition and receive a week away at an adventure park. This should have been a great break away for the family but soon the worst happens and Cooper goes missing and Todd is knocked unconscious. What is happening? This is an excellent thriller, fast paced and full of tension and suspense, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Lana and Todd then win a competition and receive a week away at an adventure park. This should have been a great break away for the family but soon the worst happens and Cooper goes missing and Todd is knocked unconscious. What is happening? This is an excellent thriller, fast paced and full of tension and suspense, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 25, 2017
All my reviews can be found at http://thebookreviewcafe.com
OMG! Richard Parker certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention, with a “heart thumping” opening chapter I found myself well and truly hooked. Imagine one minute your child’s having the time of their life and the next minute their gone, taken by a stranger, it’s got to be every parents biggest nightmare, the author expertly builds on this fear making Hide And Seek a highly unnerving read.
Lana is very protective of her son Cooper and rightly so, when Cooper is snatched and her husband Todd’s left unconscious Lana’s worse nightmares become reality. As if this wasn’t enough to capture the reader’s attention Lana receives messages telling her to visit a school which was once a murder site and so begins a twisted game, what follows is a tense and riveting read. As I started each chapter I found myself becoming more apprehensive as the author reveals more details of why Cooper was taken.
The author never gives too much away in Hide And Seek, almost up until the final thrilling chapter your waiting for the big reveal. I love it when an author does this as I find myself constantly trying to second guess where the plot is leading, and I’m even more impressed when I get it WRONG or I have “I never seen that coming” moment which happened a few times whilst reading this book so well done to the author.
If you read Richard Parkers previous book Follow You I’m sure you will be expecting some gruesome scenes, but Hide Is Seek is very different to his previous book this one very much builds on the fear of loosing a child and the threat from an unknown person, personally I enjoyed this book more, it’s well written with an intriguing plot that’s guaranteed to keep the heart racing. Told in short thrilling chapters, each one leaves you wanting to read “just one more”. Would I recommend this book? It’s definitely a big loud “yes” from me.
OMG! Richard Parker certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention, with a “heart thumping” opening chapter I found myself well and truly hooked. Imagine one minute your child’s having the time of their life and the next minute their gone, taken by a stranger, it’s got to be every parents biggest nightmare, the author expertly builds on this fear making Hide And Seek a highly unnerving read.
Lana is very protective of her son Cooper and rightly so, when Cooper is snatched and her husband Todd’s left unconscious Lana’s worse nightmares become reality. As if this wasn’t enough to capture the reader’s attention Lana receives messages telling her to visit a school which was once a murder site and so begins a twisted game, what follows is a tense and riveting read. As I started each chapter I found myself becoming more apprehensive as the author reveals more details of why Cooper was taken.
The author never gives too much away in Hide And Seek, almost up until the final thrilling chapter your waiting for the big reveal. I love it when an author does this as I find myself constantly trying to second guess where the plot is leading, and I’m even more impressed when I get it WRONG or I have “I never seen that coming” moment which happened a few times whilst reading this book so well done to the author.
If you read Richard Parkers previous book Follow You I’m sure you will be expecting some gruesome scenes, but Hide Is Seek is very different to his previous book this one very much builds on the fear of loosing a child and the threat from an unknown person, personally I enjoyed this book more, it’s well written with an intriguing plot that’s guaranteed to keep the heart racing. Told in short thrilling chapters, each one leaves you wanting to read “just one more”. Would I recommend this book? It’s definitely a big loud “yes” from me.
August 18, 2017
The action starts immediately with the attempted abduction of a child and never quits until the last page. If you like a fast-paced, heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat thriller, this is it. My heart went out to Lana who never recovered from the attempted abduction before being thrust into a nightmare. The interwoven subplot going on with Todd added more intricacies and more action.
Thanks to Richard Parker and Bookouture through Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Richard Parker and Bookouture through Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2017
Richard Parker has done it again! I absolutely LOVED Be My Killer. It was one of my favourite books of 2017. And so I was eagerly looking forward to this book and wow! It is a masterpiece! From the gripping first line this book takes hold of you and doesn't let go, the story taking you on a tense, nail-biting journey of many twists where nothing is as it seems. The writing is brilliant and packs a punch, the pace driving the story along and you with it. I lived this story and it is a credit to the author that I did not want the book to end even as I was frantically turning the pages to get to the resolution. And what a resolution it was! I absolutely adored this book. I am a great fan of this author and cannot wait for more from him.
October 22, 2017
I have to say that at chapter one, my heart was beating so fast I didn't know if I could carry on reading. It was terrifying!!!! This is every parent's worst nightmare. What follows is a twisty, turning, chilling, gripping thriller that - even as I was chewing my fingernails - I couldn't put down. Fast-paced and tense until the end. Would make a fantastic movie or TV drama.
September 3, 2017
It has been a few days since I finished reading Hide and Seek and I still keep thinking about it; playing on a parent’s worst fears of anything happening to your child and introducing one of the most sinister characters I have read this year in the form of Mr Whisper. Seriously, I had the heebie jeebies from the opening chapter and the first failed abduction attempt of Cooper and from then was taken on a heart pounding journey right up until the last page!!
Understandably Lana is a little paranoid after this life changing event and lives in fear every day that Mr Whisper will return to take Cooper as he promised but surely that couldn’t happen right?!
Wrong!! Lana and her husband Todd are plunged back into a real life nightmare when their son Cooper is abducted while they are on a family trip. Todd is injured and has dangerous secrets of his own to deal with and Lana is embroiled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse to try and find Cooper before it’s too late. Hide and Seek was one of those books that I couldn’t put down and raced to finish (much to the detriment of my poor pounding heart!). My feelings towards Lana and Todd were mixed; they both seemed guilty of putting Cooper at risk but I couldn’t knock Lana’s bravery in her mission to solve the puzzles being drip fed to her from the abductor and find her son.
A gripping thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end!!
Understandably Lana is a little paranoid after this life changing event and lives in fear every day that Mr Whisper will return to take Cooper as he promised but surely that couldn’t happen right?!
Wrong!! Lana and her husband Todd are plunged back into a real life nightmare when their son Cooper is abducted while they are on a family trip. Todd is injured and has dangerous secrets of his own to deal with and Lana is embroiled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse to try and find Cooper before it’s too late. Hide and Seek was one of those books that I couldn’t put down and raced to finish (much to the detriment of my poor pounding heart!). My feelings towards Lana and Todd were mixed; they both seemed guilty of putting Cooper at risk but I couldn’t knock Lana’s bravery in her mission to solve the puzzles being drip fed to her from the abductor and find her son.
A gripping thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end!!
September 5, 2017
I am like a moth to the light, I see a book by Richard Parker and I know that I have to read it. “Follow me” scared the hell out of me but this, this played with my mind. This fuelled every motherly instinct that I owned and I wanted to come out fighting. It is tense with an urgency about the story that increased my reading speed at every chapter.
The opening pages just make every mothers worse nightmares into every mothers worse reality. There just can’t be a more devastating sight than what Connor’s mother witnessed and there can’t be a worse situation than this for a child to feel they are in. This isn’t a case of stranger danger of a child being enticed, this is brute force, in broad day light and from the child’s garden all witnessed by a mother. A man determined to take this child but not bargaining on a woman who will do anything to get her child back.
Set in Jaxton USA I think that this would definitely warrant counselling sessions for life for mother and child. Especially as Lana falls deeper and deeper into a daily life of being obsessed about safety rather than living and grows a morbid fascination with a phone app that displays death sites. The whole family need a get away break to get a little normality back into their lives so when a chance comes up they grab it.
This is one hell of a story told in alternating chapters between Lana and her husband Todd. There was no way that I could have even come close to guessing the reasoning behind everything that was happening in the story. It was exciting, nail-biting stuff, that made me want to just talk to all my grandchildren all of a sudden.
This isn’t a gruesome story this story is built on fear, the fear of it happening and the fear they won’t be found alive and it works to create a bond between reader and the parents in this book. It makes it all seem very personal. A super book that I could really relate to and become emotionally involved. Just loved it.
I wish to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
The opening pages just make every mothers worse nightmares into every mothers worse reality. There just can’t be a more devastating sight than what Connor’s mother witnessed and there can’t be a worse situation than this for a child to feel they are in. This isn’t a case of stranger danger of a child being enticed, this is brute force, in broad day light and from the child’s garden all witnessed by a mother. A man determined to take this child but not bargaining on a woman who will do anything to get her child back.
Set in Jaxton USA I think that this would definitely warrant counselling sessions for life for mother and child. Especially as Lana falls deeper and deeper into a daily life of being obsessed about safety rather than living and grows a morbid fascination with a phone app that displays death sites. The whole family need a get away break to get a little normality back into their lives so when a chance comes up they grab it.
This is one hell of a story told in alternating chapters between Lana and her husband Todd. There was no way that I could have even come close to guessing the reasoning behind everything that was happening in the story. It was exciting, nail-biting stuff, that made me want to just talk to all my grandchildren all of a sudden.
This isn’t a gruesome story this story is built on fear, the fear of it happening and the fear they won’t be found alive and it works to create a bond between reader and the parents in this book. It makes it all seem very personal. A super book that I could really relate to and become emotionally involved. Just loved it.
I wish to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
Read
October 1, 2017Who is Mr. Whisper?
A kidnapped child is every parent's worst nightmare. When Cooper is abducted during a family vacation, Lana and Todd pull out all the stops to try to find their son.
This mystery thriller has a lot of tell and dialog along with genre typical action. Some creepy abandoned places and a couple of plot lines. Kidnappers are never nice people, so the villains are exactly the type you expect. The "follow" scenes seemed to drag on forever, however, and I found myself having to ram down my level of continual disbelief with the implausibility.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC to read and review.
A kidnapped child is every parent's worst nightmare. When Cooper is abducted during a family vacation, Lana and Todd pull out all the stops to try to find their son.
This mystery thriller has a lot of tell and dialog along with genre typical action. Some creepy abandoned places and a couple of plot lines. Kidnappers are never nice people, so the villains are exactly the type you expect. The "follow" scenes seemed to drag on forever, however, and I found myself having to ram down my level of continual disbelief with the implausibility.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC to read and review.
September 1, 2017
Hide and Seek
By:Richard Parker
Five stars
What it's about
The sun is out. Your little boy is smiling. The next time you look… he’s gone.
When Lana and Todd win a trip to Blue Crest Adventure Park, their four-year-old Cooper is ecstatic, but when Lana goes to meet them, Todd is out cold, and Cooper is missing.
No one stopped the man with the sleeping boy. The cameras don’t show where he went. Then Lana finds her family picture on an online map detailing bloody murder sites. This is no random attack.
Whoever took Cooper is playing a twisted game, and if Lana wants to find him, she must participate. Can she uncover her tormentor’s identity before it’s too late?
My thoughts
Loved it, can see why some people call it a heart pounding suspense, once you start reading it ,you won't want to stop, it's has everything a good suspense Thriller has to have. With that said I would love to say thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read it .
February 28, 2018
I don’t even know where to start with this book. As a parent it’s a scene that has played out a thousand times in my house and I think this book will stay with me for a long time. 4 year old Cooper is outside playing and suddenly he’s not there. He’s in the arms of a man that is fleeing from the family garden and is trying to put Cooper into a bag. I’m not going to lie I nearly put this book down because from the very start this hit home like no book ever has, and I’m not sure my kids will ever play outside again. I really don’t want to give too much away with this book because from the very first chapter it is packed with action and stuff that will make your head hurt and your stomach spin. But you just can’t stop reading it.
This is a fantastically well written book but it is very hard to review because I really don’t want to give anything away. All I can say is this needs to be made into a movie and I may never leave my children’s side ever again….fast forward 20 years to me at a restaurant table with my son on a first date……………I wonder if I could bill Richard Parker for the therapy they will need (“,)
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book to read and review
This is a fantastically well written book but it is very hard to review because I really don’t want to give anything away. All I can say is this needs to be made into a movie and I may never leave my children’s side ever again….fast forward 20 years to me at a restaurant table with my son on a first date……………I wonder if I could bill Richard Parker for the therapy they will need (“,)
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book to read and review
September 10, 2017
Despite not actually reading it, I fell a little bit in love with Richard Parker’s previous Bookouture release, Follow Me. I have been desperate to read it since it’s release but in usual damppebbles style, I haven’t managed to fit it in between my blog tour reads. So what better way to make sure his latest book was read than to feature on the blog tour (sometimes it’s the only way!).
So having (weirdly) fallen for Parker’s previous release (I promise to read and review it soon!) I was excited and a little apprehensive to make a start on Hide and Seek. And I can confirm, it is a thoroughly enjoyable thriller. Parts of it I absolutely loved. Other parts I enjoyed but I wanted to get to the real ‘nitty gritty’ of the story.
The prologue had me on the edge of my seat. I find books about bad things happening to children hard going at times and the opening of Hide and Seek reminded me of my very worst nightmare. My heart was pounding, helped by the incredibly well-written prologue. I was there, in the moment, with Lana the boy’s mother as she fought for her young son. It was very gripping as an introduction and I don’t doubt that it will pull at every parent’s heart; it was both harrowing and heartbreaking. I was a little surprised by the outcome of that first initial scenario. My curiosity was well and truly piqued and I wanted to know where Parker would take the story next.
And it was not what I expected. The main body of the story ticked along nicely. Lana has an unhealthy obsession with visiting past murder sites and with local serial killers in general. I absolutely loved this part of her. It gave a rather, I’m sorry to say dull and wholesome character a darker, more sinister edge. The search for the missing child is interesting and I enjoyed reading about Lana and Todd’s journey but it was the end of this book which made it for me! It’s never a good thing to admit to liking the bad guy but Richard Parker may have created one of my all time favourite baddies! And the twist, WOW. It was so wonderfully, deceptively delicious – I didn’t see it coming at all.
Would I recommend this book? I would. All in all, this is a great read which I recommend to fans of the family based crime thriller. Fans of the serial killer thriller may also find something to love within the pages as well. The start is brilliant, the middle is good, helped by the main character’s fascination with local murder sites and the ending is superb. I cannot wait to read Follow Me now. Roll on October when I will have more time to concentrate on non-blog tour books.
Four out of five stars.
I chose to read and review an eARC of Hide and Seek. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
So having (weirdly) fallen for Parker’s previous release (I promise to read and review it soon!) I was excited and a little apprehensive to make a start on Hide and Seek. And I can confirm, it is a thoroughly enjoyable thriller. Parts of it I absolutely loved. Other parts I enjoyed but I wanted to get to the real ‘nitty gritty’ of the story.
The prologue had me on the edge of my seat. I find books about bad things happening to children hard going at times and the opening of Hide and Seek reminded me of my very worst nightmare. My heart was pounding, helped by the incredibly well-written prologue. I was there, in the moment, with Lana the boy’s mother as she fought for her young son. It was very gripping as an introduction and I don’t doubt that it will pull at every parent’s heart; it was both harrowing and heartbreaking. I was a little surprised by the outcome of that first initial scenario. My curiosity was well and truly piqued and I wanted to know where Parker would take the story next.
And it was not what I expected. The main body of the story ticked along nicely. Lana has an unhealthy obsession with visiting past murder sites and with local serial killers in general. I absolutely loved this part of her. It gave a rather, I’m sorry to say dull and wholesome character a darker, more sinister edge. The search for the missing child is interesting and I enjoyed reading about Lana and Todd’s journey but it was the end of this book which made it for me! It’s never a good thing to admit to liking the bad guy but Richard Parker may have created one of my all time favourite baddies! And the twist, WOW. It was so wonderfully, deceptively delicious – I didn’t see it coming at all.
Would I recommend this book? I would. All in all, this is a great read which I recommend to fans of the family based crime thriller. Fans of the serial killer thriller may also find something to love within the pages as well. The start is brilliant, the middle is good, helped by the main character’s fascination with local murder sites and the ending is superb. I cannot wait to read Follow Me now. Roll on October when I will have more time to concentrate on non-blog tour books.
Four out of five stars.
I chose to read and review an eARC of Hide and Seek. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
September 6, 2017
You’re there in the kitchen watching your offspring playing out in the sanctuary that is your back garden when appears a figure. A masked figure who proceeds to try and take your child. What do you do?! I don’t know about you but I’d like to think I’d do what Lana did – go and fight. Defend the safety of my property and rescue my son from the clutches of evil. What follows for Lana is a tale of obsession and worry and neither are healthy things to be gripped by.
The whole back garden incident really affects Lana which I personally think it would any parent. She’s OCD about the security of the place they live having moved out of their family home. And she’s become obsessed about finding the masked intruder to the extent of doing her own personal investigation. This obsession is fuelled by a phone app, one that shows you death sites. Now in normal circumstances, it would be rather interesting to have short term (yes I have a slight morbid interest) but Lana is addicted to this app as much as I’m addicted to Facebook…
Richard Parker has gone and taken a mother’s worst nightmare and made it a fast paced tense engrossing story. As I finished the closing chapters, I realised I was sat with my jaw dropped and my heart was beating a lot harder than normal!!
This is my first encounter with Mr Parker’s writing and it’s not going to be my last. I’ve got “Follow You” sat patiently waiting on my kindle however I think after reading “Hide And Seek”, it might start murmuring and then shouting at me!!!
The whole back garden incident really affects Lana which I personally think it would any parent. She’s OCD about the security of the place they live having moved out of their family home. And she’s become obsessed about finding the masked intruder to the extent of doing her own personal investigation. This obsession is fuelled by a phone app, one that shows you death sites. Now in normal circumstances, it would be rather interesting to have short term (yes I have a slight morbid interest) but Lana is addicted to this app as much as I’m addicted to Facebook…
Richard Parker has gone and taken a mother’s worst nightmare and made it a fast paced tense engrossing story. As I finished the closing chapters, I realised I was sat with my jaw dropped and my heart was beating a lot harder than normal!!
This is my first encounter with Mr Parker’s writing and it’s not going to be my last. I’ve got “Follow You” sat patiently waiting on my kindle however I think after reading “Hide And Seek”, it might start murmuring and then shouting at me!!!
August 6, 2017
Finished reading: August 4th 2017
"Right Where You're Standing - RWYS - was her indispensable app. It was dubbed the 'Wikipedia of Death'."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
August 26, 2017
First off, I have to say WHAT A COVER! I am totally drawn to covers and this one grabbed my eye immediately. I would have grabbed this beauty off the shelf and raced to the counter to pay – without even reading the blurb- all based on THAT cover! — just had to get that out there….
Set in Jaxton, USA – the reader comes face to face with fear, paranoia, obsession, loss, guilt, manipulation, abuse, damaged childhoods, shame, retribution, the need to be noticed – albeit for the WRONG reasons and the search for justice/the truth. Needless to say – it is one hell of an emotive journey!
I had high expectations for this book after absolutely LOVING Follow You but I need not have worried as I was hooked from the start – Mr Parker is a true master of suspense! This was one intense and utterly chilling read where technology is used very cleverly in this storyline – I WANT THAT *** No Spoilers***- you’ll see what I mean when you read this book! I absolutely loved the way this story was set out and it had me guessing the motivation right until the very end. Mr Parker is one TWISTED author — but bloody hell – I totally LOVE that!!
Character-wise – this book was full of mad, superb and utterly fascinating creatures of the human kind! Lana, Todd and wee Cooper were the main focus and really got under my skin. I could feel their fear. See their paranoia and almost taste their angst as each page turned. Life was never the same for this family once the baddie (*shudders*) came into their lives. Poor Lana was determined if not slightly obsessed at finding this vile creature who dared to take away her normal family life. Over protective but also quite vulnerable, I really admired her fierce loyalty to ensuring her family’s safety. Todd was so sure that Lana was over reacting, he was not prepared when tragedy struck again. However, he fought hard alongside his wife in the hopes that he could be the hero.
The baddie – OMG OMG OMG – great bloody name for a sinister, creepy abductor of children – I won’t tell you the name as it is all part of the build up to the story but talk about #namesthatmakemyskincrawl. I loved the story behind this – and the many twists that followed. Who is he? Is he back again? What the hell is going on and why? Like I said earlier – total master of suspense, Mr Parker. I want to say so much more, but I fear that would spoil the story – so I won’t!
So, the big question is….did I enjoy this book? Would I recommend it to others? Erm…HELLOOOOOO….this gets a total HELL YEAH recommendation from me — with bells on! If you are looking for a sinister, creepy, edge-of-your-seat read with a twisted, clever and cunning plot…look no further…just buy the book !
Read my review at https://www.crimebookjunkie.co.uk
Set in Jaxton, USA – the reader comes face to face with fear, paranoia, obsession, loss, guilt, manipulation, abuse, damaged childhoods, shame, retribution, the need to be noticed – albeit for the WRONG reasons and the search for justice/the truth. Needless to say – it is one hell of an emotive journey!
I had high expectations for this book after absolutely LOVING Follow You but I need not have worried as I was hooked from the start – Mr Parker is a true master of suspense! This was one intense and utterly chilling read where technology is used very cleverly in this storyline – I WANT THAT *** No Spoilers***- you’ll see what I mean when you read this book! I absolutely loved the way this story was set out and it had me guessing the motivation right until the very end. Mr Parker is one TWISTED author — but bloody hell – I totally LOVE that!!
Character-wise – this book was full of mad, superb and utterly fascinating creatures of the human kind! Lana, Todd and wee Cooper were the main focus and really got under my skin. I could feel their fear. See their paranoia and almost taste their angst as each page turned. Life was never the same for this family once the baddie (*shudders*) came into their lives. Poor Lana was determined if not slightly obsessed at finding this vile creature who dared to take away her normal family life. Over protective but also quite vulnerable, I really admired her fierce loyalty to ensuring her family’s safety. Todd was so sure that Lana was over reacting, he was not prepared when tragedy struck again. However, he fought hard alongside his wife in the hopes that he could be the hero.
The baddie – OMG OMG OMG – great bloody name for a sinister, creepy abductor of children – I won’t tell you the name as it is all part of the build up to the story but talk about #namesthatmakemyskincrawl. I loved the story behind this – and the many twists that followed. Who is he? Is he back again? What the hell is going on and why? Like I said earlier – total master of suspense, Mr Parker. I want to say so much more, but I fear that would spoil the story – so I won’t!
So, the big question is….did I enjoy this book? Would I recommend it to others? Erm…HELLOOOOOO….this gets a total HELL YEAH recommendation from me — with bells on! If you are looking for a sinister, creepy, edge-of-your-seat read with a twisted, clever and cunning plot…look no further…just buy the book !
Read my review at https://www.crimebookjunkie.co.uk
August 23, 2017
This was an entertaining read.
It’s not so much twisty as it is super suspenseful – and creepy. In fact, I think it was the creepy factor that I loved the most. Part of it is that I’m a mom and the idea of something like this happening with my own kid fills me with terror. But part it was just he incredibly creepy idea of the horrifying little game that’s being played here.
Keep in mind that, at times, you’ll want to throw the ebook against the virtual wall when characters start doing incredibly stupid things. And there will be times when it’s just so obvious that something is going on with one character that it just drives you nuts that our girl can’t see it.
But it’s still a highly entertaining popcorn read and a fast pace thrill until the end.
*ARC Provided via Net Galley
It’s not so much twisty as it is super suspenseful – and creepy. In fact, I think it was the creepy factor that I loved the most. Part of it is that I’m a mom and the idea of something like this happening with my own kid fills me with terror. But part it was just he incredibly creepy idea of the horrifying little game that’s being played here.
Keep in mind that, at times, you’ll want to throw the ebook against the virtual wall when characters start doing incredibly stupid things. And there will be times when it’s just so obvious that something is going on with one character that it just drives you nuts that our girl can’t see it.
But it’s still a highly entertaining popcorn read and a fast pace thrill until the end.
*ARC Provided via Net Galley
August 31, 2017
After reading Scare Me and Follow You by Richard Parker I couldn't wait to see what Richard had in store for us readers with his latest novel Hide and Seek. Boy can can this guy write a story. I love the fact that they are always dark and twisty and he doesn't disappoint with this utterly gripping pageturner. Where I found myself gripped from the opening….and what an opening it is!
Imagine witnessing a masked man trying to attempt to kidnap your child. This is every parent's worse nightmare. But this is exactly what happens when Lana takes her eyes off her son Cooper for a split second. Holy smoke what a nail biting start. The author then takes us on a rollercoaster ride where we follow the story of what is yet to happen.With alternating chapters between Todd and Lana. When they win a trip to Blue Crest Adventure Park, their four-year-old Cooper is ecstatic, but when Lana goes to meet them, Todd is out cold, and Cooper is missing.
OMG what an eleffricing and the edge of your seat read. This is one fast paced action packed read.
You can feel the obsession and emotion with Lana being a parent myself I could totally relate to her. I think I would be the same if either one of my boys went missing.
I have to say if you expecting some gruesome scenes like in follow me…..(which I was) then think again. This book is oh so different and written in a totally different way.
Hide and Seek is full of tension and suspense and is nicley tied up at the end with a brilliant ending. When I highly recommend giving it 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Bookouture for a copy in exchange for a honest review.
Imagine witnessing a masked man trying to attempt to kidnap your child. This is every parent's worse nightmare. But this is exactly what happens when Lana takes her eyes off her son Cooper for a split second. Holy smoke what a nail biting start. The author then takes us on a rollercoaster ride where we follow the story of what is yet to happen.With alternating chapters between Todd and Lana. When they win a trip to Blue Crest Adventure Park, their four-year-old Cooper is ecstatic, but when Lana goes to meet them, Todd is out cold, and Cooper is missing.
OMG what an eleffricing and the edge of your seat read. This is one fast paced action packed read.
You can feel the obsession and emotion with Lana being a parent myself I could totally relate to her. I think I would be the same if either one of my boys went missing.
I have to say if you expecting some gruesome scenes like in follow me…..(which I was) then think again. This book is oh so different and written in a totally different way.
Hide and Seek is full of tension and suspense and is nicley tied up at the end with a brilliant ending. When I highly recommend giving it 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Bookouture for a copy in exchange for a honest review.
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